at a loss

[lforst]

hi all i am new to this site so bare with....i had gall bladder out in 2000 was fine for one year started having like a weighted or punched in the stomach sensation. this had me in bed for days. went back to gastro he endoscoped me and mri'd me nothing. ive been fine since 2005 then suddenly 4 weeks ago came back from working out and the weighted fist is back was SO sick for three days. went to have upper gi done nothing he went lower and found small intestine coils enlarged possible celuiac spru. heres the prob whenever i eat ANYthing. it feels like its just sitting there not going down am on 40mg protonix and i eat pepcid acs like candy. could i have a motility problem? i have another upper endoscopy scheduled but im sure it will be same as first they never find anything..and still we suffer..thanks

[Jaybay]

Yes, it's possible that you have a motility problem, but there could be other reasons for that motility problem.  If no other reason is found via testing, the assumption is that you have a functional problem.  There are meds that can speed up emptying like reglan.  If those meds help, then you pretty much know it's a functional issue.  If not, there is something else going on.  

That "something else" could be scar tissue (adhesions) on your intestines as a result of gallbladder disease and healing from the surgery.  Adhesions can wrap around a loop (or several loops) of bowel and squeeze it just like a kink in a water hose, and cause partial obstruction.  That slows the flow of food and waste.  Unfortunately, adhesions rarely, if ever, show up on tests like x-rays, ultrasound, CT scan or MRI unless there is a full bowel obstruction and you're throwing up everything including water.  The treatment is adheliolysis surgery wherein the surgeon cuts the scar tissue and releases its grip on important organs like intestines.  Adhesions are a normal bodily response to healing from any wound, infection or inflammation.  Sometimes they just attach to organs and cause further problems.  If your doctor suspects adhesions, he should refer you to a surgeon.

Vague symptoms are very difficult to diagnose, so keep returning to your doctor if any treatment doesn't work or the symptoms get worse.  We would all love to be able to get a diagnosis on our first doctor visit, but it rarely works out that way.  If you aren't getting anywhere with your current doc, you'll have to try another one, and another and another... until you get to the bottom of what is causing your symptoms.

[Jaybay]

Yes, it's possible that you have a motility problem, but there could be other reasons for that motility problem.  If no other reason is found via testing, the assumption is that you have a functional problem.  There are meds that can speed up emptying like reglan.  If those meds help, then you pretty much know it's a functional issue.  If not, there is something else going on.  

That "something else" could be scar tissue (adhesions) on your intestines as a result of gallbladder disease and healing from the surgery.  Adhesions can wrap around a loop (or several loops) of bowel and squeeze it just like a kink in a water hose, and cause partial obstruction.  That slows the flow of food and waste.  Unfortunately, adhesions rarely, if ever, show up on tests like x-rays, ultrasound, CT scan or MRI unless there is a full bowel obstruction and you're throwing up everything including water.  The treatment is adheliolysis surgery wherein the surgeon cuts the scar tissue and releases its grip on important organs like intestines.  Adhesions are a normal bodily response to healing from any wound, infection or inflammation.  Sometimes they just attach to organs and cause further problems.  If your doctor suspects adhesions, he should refer you to a surgeon.

Vague symptoms are very difficult to diagnose, so keep returning to your doctor if any treatment doesn't work or the symptoms get worse.  We would all love to be able to get a diagnosis on our first doctor visit, but it rarely works out that way.  If you aren't getting anywhere with your current doc, you'll have to try another one, and another and another... until you get to the bottom of what is causing your symptoms.

[CalGal]

Are you following a gluten-free diet? If not, you need to start one. Celiac problems can cause a lot of different symtpoms. Some can be vague and mimic a lot of other conditions, and testing for celiac problems is very hit-and-miss. Give an elimination diet a try for a minimum of a month and see if it makes a difference in your condition.